Fuel pump assembly

ABSTRACT

A fuel pump assembly includes an attachment section and a pump housing. The attachment section includes an upper telescoping section having an outer portion and a support rod that extends into the outer portion for telescoping movement with respect thereto. The support rod further extends downward from the outer portion. The pump housing is supported to a lower end of the support rod of the attachment section. The upper telescoping section of the support rod is configured such that the pump housing is movable between a first position and a second position, such that in the first position the pump housing is retained by the upper telescoping structure a first distance away from the attachment section and in the second position the pump housing is located a second distance away from the attachment section. The first distance is greater than the second distance.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a fuel pump assembly. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a fuel pump assemblyhaving a fuel pump housing that can be adjustably positioned to aplurality of locations relative to an attachment plate of the fuel pumpassembly.

Background Information

A fuel tank within a vehicle includes a sender unit with a float. Thefloat moves in response to changes in the amount of fuel within the fueltank sending signals to a fuel gauge such that the fuel gauge displaysan indication of the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank. In manyvehicles, the sender unit is structurally assembled with a fuel pumpassembly. Fuel tanks vary in size and shape depending upon the design ofthe vehicle, and the space within a vehicle body structure that canreceive the fuel tank. Further fuel tanks often include a baffle orbaffles within the fuel receiving interior of the fuel tank in order torestrict movement of fuel therein. Typically, each fuel tank must have aunique sender unit and fuel pump assembly designed to fit within thefuel tank and be shaped to avoid contact with any baffle or bafflestherein. Consequently, there are countless numbers of sender unit andfuel pump assembly designs and configurations.

SUMMARY

An object of the current disclosure is to provide a fuel pump assemblywith position adjusting mechanisms that permit the fuel pump assembly tobe easily re-oriented such that the fuel pump assembly can be installedin any of a variety of differing fuel tank configurations and designs.

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide a fuel pump assembly with an attachment sectionand a pump housing. The attachment section includes an upper telescopingsection having an outer portion and a support rod that extends into theouter portion for telescoping movement with respect thereto, the supportrod further extending downward from the outer portion. The pump housingis supported to a lower end of the support rod of the attachmentsection. The upper telescoping section of the support rod is configuredsuch that the pump housing is movable between a first position and asecond position, such that in the first position the pump housing isretained by the upper telescoping structure a first distance away fromthe attachment section and in the second position the pump housing islocated a second distance away from the attachment section, the firstdistance being greater than the second distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle that includes a fuel tank inaccordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the vehicle depicted in FIG. 1 showingelements of the vehicle including an engine, fuel line, the fuel tank,and a fuel pump and sender unit assembly in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the engine of the vehicle, afuel vapor management system, the fuel tank and the fuel pump and senderunit assembly in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the fuel tank, showing anattachment plate of the fuel pump and sender unit assembly in accordancewith the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side schematic view of the fuel pump and sender unitassembly removed from the vehicle showing a fuel pump housing in a firstposition relative to the attachment plate in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 6 is another side schematic view of the fuel pump and sender unitassembly similar to FIG. 5 showing the fuel pump housing in a secondposition relative to the attachment plate in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the fuel pump and sender unitassembly showing details of first and second telescoping sectionsconfigured to allow vertical positioning of the fuel pump housingrelative to the attachment plate with the fuel pump housing in thesecond position (FIG. 6) in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is another side cross-sectional view of the fuel pump and senderunit assembly similar to FIG. 7 showing the details of first and secondtelescoping sections configured to allow vertical positioning of thefuel pump housing relative to the attachment plate with the fuel pumphousing in the first position (FIG. 5) in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a first example of a fuel tank withthe fuel pump and sender unit assembly installed therein in accordancewith the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a second example of a fuel tank withthe fuel pump and sender unit assembly installed therein in accordancewith the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a third example of a fuel tank withthe fuel pump and sender unit assembly installed therein in accordancewith the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of the fuel pump and sender unitassembly similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 showing the sender unit in a firstorientation relative to the fuel pump housing with a float of the senderunit in a fuel low position in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is another schematic side view of the fuel pump and sender unitassembly similar to FIG. 12 showing the float of the sender unit in amid-position in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is another schematic side view of the fuel pump and sender unitassembly similar to FIGS. 12 and 13 showing the float of the sender unitin a fuel tank full position in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 15 is another schematic side view of the fuel pump and sender unitassembly similar to FIGS. 12-14 showing the sender unit in a secondorientation relative to the fuel pump housing, with the sender unitbeing rotated approximately 90 degrees from the first orientation via afirst positioning mechanism, and with the sender unit in a lower mostvertical position via function of a second positioning mechanism inaccordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 16 is another schematic side view of the fuel pump and sender unitassembly similar to FIGS. 12-15 showing the sender unit in the secondorientation relative to the fuel pump housing, and with the sender unitin one of a plurality of intermediate vertical positions via function ofthe second positioning mechanism in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 17 is another schematic side view of the fuel pump and sender unitassembly similar to FIGS. 12-16 showing the sender unit in the secondorientation relative to the fuel pump housing, and with the sender unitin an uppermost vertical position via function of the second positioningmechanism in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a side view of portions of the fuel pump and sender unitassembly showing details of the first positioning mechanism and thesecond positioning mechanism of the sender unit in accordance with thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a top cross-sectional view of the fuel pump and sender unitassembly showing further details of the first positioning mechanism andthe second positioning mechanism of the sender unit in accordance withthe first embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a cutaway view of a locking mechanism of the secondpositioning mechanism of the sender unit in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 21 is a cutaway view of a first alternate locking mechanism of thesecond positioning mechanism of the sender unit in accordance with thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a cutaway view of a second alternate locking mechanism of thesecond positioning mechanism of the sender unit in accordance with thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of the sender unit and associated circuitryconnecting the sender unit to a linear resistance panel and a resistancesetting switch thereof to a controller and instrument panel display inaccordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the fuel pump andsender unit assembly showing a vapor valve section thereof with portionsof the fuel pump and sender unit removed for clarity and simplicity,further showing a first valve assembly in a first vertical position anda second valve assembly in a first vertical position in accordance withthe first embodiment;

FIG. 25 is another cross-sectional view of the portion of the fuel pumpand sender unit assembly depicted in FIG. 24 showing the first valveassembly moved to a second vertical position and the second valveassembly moved to a second vertical position in accordance with thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the first valveassembly showing details of a recess and projection arrangement that isused to lock the first valve assembly in any one of a plurality ofvertical positions including the first and second vertical positionsdepicted in FIGS. 24 and 25, in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a cut-away view of the portion of the first valve assemblyshowing details of the recess and projection arrangement that is used tolock the first valve assembly in any one of the plurality of verticalpositions including the first and second vertical positions depicted inFIGS. 24 and 25, in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 28 is another cross-sectional view of a portion of the first valveassembly showing details of an alternative configuration of a recess andprojection arrangement used to lock the first valve assembly in any oneof a plurality of vertical positions, in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 29 is a cutaway view of a portion of the first valve assemblyshowing a locking mechanism in accordance with a second embodiment; and

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the first valveassembly depicted in FIG. 29 showing further details of the lockingmechanism in accordance with the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 is illustrated in accordancewith a first embodiment. As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the vehicle10 includes a fuel tank 12 and a fuel pump assembly 14 (also referred toas a fuel pump and sender unit assembly). The fuel pump assembly 14 isconfigured such that portions thereof can undergo positioningadjustments in order to install the fuel pump assembly 14 is a varietyof differing fuel tank shapes and configurations, as is described ingreater detail below.

The vehicle 10 is depicted as a four door sedan. However, it should beunderstood from the drawings and the description below that the vehicle10 can be any of a variety of vehicle designs, such as a pickup truck, acommercial van, a passenger van, coupe or SUV (sports utility vehicle).In particular, as described below, the fuel tank 12 of the vehicle 10can have any of a variety of shapes and configurations.

The vehicle 10 includes, among other components, a vehicle bodystructure 18, an engine 20, a transmission 22, a controller 24, aninstrument panel display 26, a fuel filler structure 28, a fuel vapormanagement system 30, the fuel tank 12 and the fuel pump assembly 14.

The vehicle body structure 18 includes an engine compartment 18 a, apassenger compartment 18 b and a cargo area 18 c. The internalcombustion engine 20 can be a gasoline powered engine, a diesel engineor a hybrid engine with both a hydrocarbon fuel power section and anelectric power section. The transmission 22 can be an automatictransmission or a manual transmission.

The controller 24 can be, for example, an onboard computer that controlsfunctions and operations of, for example, ignition, fuel consumption andemissions the engine 20, shifting of the transmission 22, operation ofan air conditioning system (not show) and/or other vehicle components asneeded or desired. The controller 24 can also be connected to theinstrument panel display 26 and the fuel pump assembly 14 in order todisplay a current level of fuel in the fuel tank 12, as described ingreater detail below.

The fuel filler structure 28 is a conventional structure that ispositioned along an exterior surface of the vehicle body structure 18and includes a filler tube 32 that extends to the fuel tank 12 in aconventional manner in order to direct fuel from outside the vehicle 10to the fuel tank 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel vapor management system 30 is part of anoverall emission control system of the vehicle 10. Since emissioncontrol systems and fuel vapor management systems are conventionalfeatures of vehicles, such as the vehicle 10, further description isomitted for the sake of brevity. Only those features necessary forunderstanding the fuel pump assembly 14 are described herein below.

The fuel tank 12 is shown schematically in FIG. 2. The fuel tank 12 isdimensioned and shaped to retain fuel (not shown) for the use by theengine 20. The fuel tank 12 is a sealed vessel that includes an opening36 defined along an upper wall thereof. As shown in FIG. 4, the fueltank 12 includes a flange 38 that surrounds the opening 36. The opening36 is configured to receive and attach to the fuel pump assembly 14 in aconventional manner. Once the fuel pump assembly 14 is installed to theopening 36, the fuel tank 12 is sealed in a conventional manner. Thefuel tank 12 can have many different shapes and configurations, as isdescribed further below after a description of portions of the fuel pumpassembly 14.

As shown in FIGS. 4-8, when removed from the fuel tank 12, the fuel pumpassembly 14 basically includes an attachment section 40, a pump section42, a sender unit section 44 and a vapor valve section 46.

As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment section 40 of the fuel pump assembly14 includes a disk shaped plate 50 that is configured to fixedly attachthe fuel pump assembly 14 to the fuel tank 12, with the pump section 42extending downward into the fuel tank 12. An outer periphery of theplate 50 defines an attachment flange for attaching to the fuel tank 12.The plate 50 can optionally include one or more alignment projections 50a. The plate 50 further has an exterior side 50 b and an interior side50 c. The plate 50 also includes a first tube 52, a second tube 54, afuel tube 56 a connector 58 and the vapor valve section 46 (as describedfurther below). The first tube 52 and the second tube 54 extend throughthe plate 50 from the exterior side 50 b to the interior side 50 c. Thefirst tube 52 and the second tube 54 are dimensioned and arranged toallow movement of fuel vapors in and/or out of the fuel tank 12 throughthe vapor valve section 46, as is described further below.

The fuel tube 56 also extends through the plate 50 from the exteriorside 50 b to the interior side 50 c. A first end of the fuel tube 56 isconnected via a fuel line 60 to the engine 20, as shown in FIG. 3, and asecond end connected to a flexible line 62 which is in turn connected tothe pump section 42 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and described in greaterdetail below. The connector 58 is configured to attach to a connector(not shown) of a wiring harness 64 that includes various electricalwires thereby electrically connecting the controller 24 with the fuelpump assembly 14. More specifically, the wiring harness 64 includeswires that connect the sender unit section 44 with the controller 24 inorder to provide fuel level indicating signals from the sender unitsection 44, and include wires that connect the controller 24 to the pumpsection 42, selectively providing power to the pump section 42 therebypowering a fuel pump 76 of the pump section 42.

A description of the pump section 42 is now provided with specificreference to FIGS. 5-8. The pump section 42 includes a housing 70, afirst telescoping section 72, a second telescoping section 74 and thefuel pump 76. The fuel pump 76 is located within the interior of thehousing 70 and is configured to draw fuel out of the fuel tank 12 anddeliver it to the engine 20 in a conventional manner. The fuel pump 76can be any of a variety of designs, such as an impeller type pump, apiston type pump or other pump configuration that can pump liquid fromone location to another locations. Since fuel pumps are conventionvehicle components, further description is omitted for the sake ofbrevity.

The housing 70 includes a fuel pump outlet 76 a connected to theflexible line 62 such that fuel pumped from fuel pump 76 within thehousing 70 moves through the flexible line 62, through the fuel tube 56,further through the fuel line 60 and to the engine 20. The sender unitsection 44 is adjustably installed to an outer surface of the housing 70in a manner described in greater detail below.

The housing 70 also includes a pair of support bores 78. The housing 70is supported to the plate 50 of the attachment section 40 via the firsttelescoping section 72 and the second telescoping section 74, as shownin FIGS. 5-8. The first telescoping section 72 and the secondtelescoping section 74 are basically identical structures, each havingan upper telescoping section 80, a support rod 82, a first spring 84 anda second spring 86. Therefore, description of one of the firsttelescoping section 72 and the second telescoping section 74 appliesequally to the other.

The upper telescoping sections 80 are rigidly fixed to the plate 50 by,for example, welding techniques or mechanical fasteners (not shown). Theupper telescoping sections 80 basically define outer portions ofrespective telescoping structures. Specifically, upper ends of thesupport rods 82 extend into bores 80 a of the upper telescoping section80 such that the support rods 82 are vertically moveable relative to theupper telescoping sections 80, as demonstrated by the relative movementdepicted in FIGS. 7 and 8. The first springs 84 are disposed withinrespective ones of the bores 80 a. The first springs 84 are locatedabove respective ones of the support rods 82 such that each of the firstsprings 84 is confined between the interior side 50 c (a lower surface)of the plate 50 within the bore 80 a and a top surface of the supportrod 82. Hence, the support rods 82 are biased for downward telescopingmovement relative to the upper telescoping sections 80. In other words,the first springs 84 (biasing members) urge the support rods 82 awayfrom the attachment section 40.

The upper telescoping sections 80 (the outer portion) of the telescopingstructures 72 and 74 each include an aperture 80 b that extends in adirection perpendicular to and through the bore 80 a. The aperture 80 bis dimensioned to receive an optional locking pin P₁ insertable into theaperture 80 b such that with the locking pin P₁ inserted into theaperture 80 b the locking pin P₁ limits overall movement of the supportrod 82 relative to upper telescoping section 80 (the outer portion) asindicated in FIG. 7.

A lower portion 82 a of each of the support rods 82 extends into acorresponding one of the support bores 78 of the housing 70 such thatthe support rods 82 can undergo telescoping movement with respect to thehousing 70. The second springs 86 are disposed about each of the supportrods 82 and are confined between the upper telescoping section 72 andthe housing 70. Consequently, the housing 70 is biased by the secondsprings 86 to move downward away from the attachment section 40.

The fuel pump assembly 14 is installed to the fuel tank 12 such that thepump section 42 is inserted through the opening 36 into the fuel tank 12until the plate 50 contacts the flange 38. A locking ring (not shown)attaches to the flange 38 in a conventional manner, fixing the plate 50and the fuel pump assembly 14 to the fuel tank 12. During installationof the fuel pump assembly 14, a lower surface 70 a (FIGS. 5 and 6) ofthe housing 70 contacts and can be pressed against a bottom interiorsurface 12 a of the fuel tank 12 (FIG. 9). Depending upon the overallheight of the fuel pump assembly 14 and the overall depth of the fueltank 12, it is possible for the first and second telescoping section 72and 74 to undergo compressive telescoping movement (the first and secondsprings 84 and 86 can be compressed) thereby changing an overall heightof the fuel pump assembly 14.

As described above, the first and second telescoping sections 72 and 74allow for movement of the housing 70 of the pump section 42 relative tothe attachment section 40 and the plate 50. In other words, the fuelpump assembly 14 is a multi-application assembly that can be used in avariety of fuel tank configurations. For example, FIGS. 9, 10 and 11show several possible configurations of fuel tanks. The fuel pumpassembly 14 is configured to be installed in any of a plurality of fueltank designs. FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show only three possible fuel tankdesigns. It should be understood from the drawings and descriptionherein, that the fuel pump assembly 14 can be used in many differentfuel tank designs and configurations.

For example, in FIG. 9, the fuel tank 12 has an overall depth D₁ that issuch that when the fuel pump assembly 14 is installed therein, the fuelpump assembly 14 has an overall height H₁. In FIG. 6, the fuel pumpassembly 14 is shown with the first and second telescoping sections 72and 74 fully extended. In other words, both FIGS. 6 and 9 show the fuelpump assembly 14 at the overall height H₁ representing a maximum heightthereof. In FIG. 10, the fuel pump assembly 14 is installed to analternative fuel tank 12′. The fuel tank 12′ has an overall depth D₂that is less than the overall depth D₁ of the fuel tank 12.Consequently, when the fuel pump assembly 14 is installed to the fueltank 12′, the fuel pump assembly 14 has an overall height H₂ that isless than the overall height H₁. The first and second telescopingsections 72 and 74 are compressed in the installation orientation shownin FIG. 10.

In FIG. 11, the fuel pump assembly 14 is installed to yet anotheralternative fuel tank 12″. The fuel tank 12″ has an overall depth D₃that is less than the overall depth D₁ and the overall depth D₂.Consequently, when the fuel pump assembly 14 is installed to the fueltank 12″, the fuel pump assembly 14 has an overall height H₃ that isless than the overall height H₁ and the overall height H₂. The first andsecond telescoping sections 72 and 74 are fully compressed in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 11. Similarly, FIG. 5 also shows the fuelpump assembly 14 with the overall height H₃ that represents a minimumheight thereof.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description hereinthat the fuel pump assembly 14 can be installed in a significant numberof fuel tank configurations and is not limited to the three examples offuel tanks depicted in FIG. 9-11. More specifically, since the first andsecond telescoping sections 72 and 74 allow the pump section 42 of thefuel pump assembly 14 to move relative to the attachment section 40, thefuel pump assembly 14 can have any of dozens of overall heights rangingbetween the overall height H₃ and the overall height H₁.

A description of the sender unit section 44 is now provided withspecific reference to FIGS. 12-22. The sender unit section 44 isattached to the housing 70 of the pump section 42 of the fuel pumpassembly 14. Specifically, the sender unit section 44 is connected tothe housing 70 such that a sender unit 90 having a float 92 can beadjustably positioned in a plurality of orientations relative to thehousing 70, and the plate 50 of the attachment section 40. Morespecifically, the entire sending unit 90 can be positioned at any of aplurality of circumferentially spaced apart locations about the housing70 (a first direction—a horizontally oriented direction). Further, thesending unit 90 can be moved and positioned vertically (a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction) to any of a plurality oflocations relative to the housing 70.

The sender unit section 44 includes a first positioning mechanism 94, asecond positioning mechanism 96 and the sender unit 90. The firstpositioning mechanism 94 is supported on the housing 70. The housing 70has an outer surface 70 b that is cylindrical in shape, or has a portionthereof that has an annular cylindrical shape. The first positioningmechanism 94 has a housing engaging part 100 and a retaining mechanism102. The housing engaging part 100 has an annular shape and extendscompletely around the outer surface 70 b of the housing 70. The housingengaging part 100 can be made of two half annular elements that arefastened together via mechanical fasteners (not shown) to form thecomplete annular ring that defines the housing engaging part 100. Thehousing engaging part 100 is rotatably movable in the first directionrelative to the housing 70. Specifically, the first direction is ahorizontal and circular direction relative to the housing 70. As shownschematically in FIGS. 12-14, the housing engaging part 100 is shown ina first position relative to the housing 70. As shown schematically inFIGS. 15-17, the housing engaging part 100 is rotated to a secondposition relative to the housing 70 that is approximately 90 degreesoffset from the first position.

From the side view in FIGS. 12-17, it is shown that the housing engagingpart 100 remains along a horizontally extending plane P₂ (FIG. 12)defined on the housing 70. In other words, the housing engaging part 100does not move in a vertical direction, but remains in positions thatintersect with the horizontal plane P₂. As shown in FIG. 18, the housingengaging part 100 can be retained in positions intersecting with thehorizontal plane P₂ by, for example, rings 100 a mounted to the housing70 above and below the housing engaging part 100, thereby restrictingvertical movement. The rings 100 a can be attached to the housing 70 byfasteners (not shown), can be force fitted to the housing 70 or can beintegrally molded with the housing 70.

The rotary movement of the housing engaging part 100 about the housing70 is restricted by the retaining mechanism 102 shown in FIG. 19. Theretaining mechanism 102 is configured to retain the first positioningmechanism 100 in any one of a plurality of positions relative to theouter surface of the housing. One example of the retaining mechanism 102shown in FIG. 19 is such that the outer surface 70 b is provided with orformed with a plurality of gear teeth or recesses 102 a and the housingengaging part 100 include a spring biased ball detent 102 b (a resilientprojection). The ball detent 102 b is continuously urged into contactwith the recesses 102 a restricting movement of the housing engagingpart 100 relative to the housing 70. A predetermined amount of forceapplied to the housing engaging part 100 overcomes the biasing forcesacting on the ball detent 102 b allowing positioning of the housingengaging part 100 relative to the housing 70. Hence, the housingengaging part 100 can be rotated about the housing 70 to any of aplurality of positions, limited only by the number and circumferentialpositioning of the recesses 102 a.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description hereinthat the relative locations of the recesses 102 a and the ball detent102 b can be switched. Specifically, the recesses 102 a can be formed onthe housing engaging part 100 and the ball detent 102 b can be locatedon the housing 70. More specifically, one of the outer surface 70 b ofthe housing 70 and the housing engaging part 100 includes the balldetent 102 b (the resilient projection) and the other of the outersurface 70 b of the housing 70 and the housing engaging part 100includes the plurality of recesses 102 a. Hence, in response to rotationof the housing engaging part 100 about the outer surface 70 b of thehousing 70 the ball detent 102 b (the resilient projection) is movedrelative to the plurality of recesses 102 a from engagement with one ofthe plurality of recess 102 a to engagement with another of theplurality of recesses 102 a.

It should also be understood from the drawings and the description thatalternative mechanisms for restricting movement of the housing engagingpart 100 relative to the housing 70 can be employed, such as a clampingmechanism, or a locking mechanism. The first positioning mechanism 94 isonly operated upon installation of the fuel pump assembly 14 to the fueltank 12. In other words, the first positioning mechanism 94 need not beoverly complex and is only intended to be operated once to position thesender unit 90 relative to the housing 70 as the fuel pump assembly 14is installed into the fuel tank 12. As noted above, the fuel tank 12 canhave any of a variety of shapes and configurations, and may includebaffles (not shown) within its interior fuel carrying space. For somefuel tank installation applications, it can be necessary to re-positionthe sender unit 90 to a predetermined location in order to avoid abaffle, or avoid an irregularity in the bottom surface of the fuel tank12.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the second positioning mechanism 96includes a first part 106, a second part 108 and a locking mechanism 110(FIGS. 20-22). The first part 106 is fixedly attached to the housingengaging part 100 of the first positioning mechanism 94 for movementwith the housing engaging part 100. The second part 108 is coupled tothe first part 106 such that the second part 108 can undergo linearmovement in a vertical direction relative to the housing 70.Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17, the second part 108(along with the sender unit 90) can be moved in vertical directions to aplurality of positions relative to the housing engaging part 100 and thehousing 70. FIG. 15 shows the second part 108 and the sender unit 90 ina lower-most position. FIG. 16 shows the second part 108 and the senderunit 90 in one of a plurality of intermediate positions. FIG. 17 showsthe second part 108 and the sender unit 90 in an upper-most position.

Movement of the second part 108 relative to the first part 106 isvertical movement, whereas the movement of the housing engaging part 100relative to the housing 70 is horizontal/circular movement. Hence, thesecond positioning mechanism 96 allows for positioning of the senderunit 90 in a direction that is perpendicular to the positioning of thesender unit 90 provided by the first positioning mechanism 94.

The locking mechanism 110 shown in FIG. 20 is operable between anunlocked state and a locked state. In the unlocked state the second part108 is movable relative to the first part 106 in vertical directions (upand down in the second direction) perpendicular to horizontal movementof the housing engaging part 100 (the first direction). In the lockedstate the second part 108 is non-movably fixed to the first part 106.The locking mechanism 110 can be any of a variety of mechanisms. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 20, the locking mechanism 110 can be aflexible locking tab 110 a formed on a portion of the second part 108that is insertable into any one of a plurality of recesses 110 b formedalong one edge of the first part 106. The flexible locking tab 110 a ispulled back to the unlocked state (in phantom in FIG. 20) unlocking thesecond part 108 from the first part 106 allowing vertical movement andpositioning of the sender unit 90. The flexible locking tab 110 aresiliently moves into the adjacent one of the plurality of recesses 110b locking the second part 108 into position relative to the first part106 (the locking state).

FIGS. 21 and 22 show alternatives to the locking mechanism 110.Specifically, in FIG. 21, a locking mechanism 110′ includes biasingmembers 112 that urge the first part 106 and the second part 108 towardone another. In the alternative locking mechanism 110′ in FIG. 21, thefirst part 106 includes a plurality of gear teeth or recesses 106 a andthe second part 108 includes at least one gear tooth or projection 108 athat engages the recesses 106 a. Force applied to the second part 108moves the projection 108 a out of the recesses 106 a allowing movementof the second part 108 relative to the first part 106, thereby allowingthe second part 108 and the sender unit 90 to be positioned verticallyrelative to the first part 106 and the housing 70. Similarly, in thealternative locking mechanism 110″ in FIG. 22, the first part 106includes a plurality of recesses 106 b and the second part 108 includesat least one projection 108 b that engages the recesses 106 b. Forceapplied to the second part 108 moves the projection 108 b out of therecesses 106 b allowing movement of the second part 108 relative to thefirst part 106, thereby allowing the second part 108 and the sender unit90 to be positioned vertically relative to the first part 106 and thehousing 70.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the sender unit 90 is fixedly attached tothe second part 108 of the second positioning mechanism 96, such thatthe sender unit 90 moves with the second part 108 during positioning ofthe second part 108 relative to the first part 106. The sender unit 90includes the float 92, a linear resistance panel 114 and a resistancesetting switch 116. The sender unit 90 has a recessed area 90 a. Thefloat 91 is supported by a slider 118 that is retained within therecessed area 90 a for linear sliding movement in vertical directions(up and down). The slider 118 is a first track part that is T-shapedprojection as viewed in cross-section in FIG. 19. The recessed area 90 ais basically a second track part that includes two opposing recessesdimensioned to receive and mate with the T-shaped projection of theslider 118. The slider 118 along with the float 92 can undergo linearvertical movement along the recessed area 90 a (a slider track). Hencethe slider 118 and the float 92 are movable between a plurality ofpositions along recessed area 90 a (the slider track) as shown in FIGS.12, 13 and 14. Specifically, FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 show the float 92 movedbetween various vertical positions along the recessed area 90 a. Thefloat 92 is configured to float along the surface of fuel in the fueltank 12, thereby providing an indication of the amount of fuel in thefuel tank 12. The float 92 and the slider 118 are configured to move inan upward direction relative to the second part 108 of the secondpositioning mechanism 96 in response to changes in level of fuel.

The linear resistance panel 114 is a resistance measuring part thatprovides an electronic indication of electrical resistance at each ofthe plurality of positions of the float 92. The linear resistance panel114 is located within the recessed area 90 a of the sender unit 90. Theslider 118 contacts the linear resistance panel 114 (a slider track) ina conventional manner completing a circuit that provides the controller24 with differing resistance signals indicating fuel level. As describedabove, the fuel pump assembly 14 is designed for use in a plurality ofdiffering fuel tank designs and also in a plurality of differing vehicledesigns. Some vehicles determine fuel levels in its fuel tank based onone range of measured resistances and other vehicle can have a differentrange of resistances. As shown in FIG. 23, the resistance setting switch116 is part of a circuit and includes is a multi-position switch suchthat in a first position S₁, the linear resistance panel 114 and thepositioning of the slider 118 output resistances within a first range,with one end of the range being zero ohms, and a second end being afirst predetermined ohm reading. In a second position S₂, the linearresistance panel 114 and the positioning of the slider 118 outputresistances within a second range, with one end of the range being zeroohms, and a second end being a second predetermined ohm reading greaterthan the first predetermined ohm reading. Further, in a third positionS₃, the linear resistance panel 114 and the positioning of the slider118 outputs resistances within a third range, with one end of the rangebeing zero ohms, and a third end being a third predetermined ohm readingthat differs from both the first and second predetermined ohm readings.

A description is now provided for the vapor valve section 46 withspecific reference to FIGS. 24-28. The vapor valve section 46 is part ofthe fuel vapor management system 30 shown in FIG. 3. The fuel vapormanagement system 30 captures hydrocarbon vapors from fuel and from theinlet of the filler tube 32 in a conventional manner. The fuel vapormanagement system 30 shown in FIG. 3 is a schematic rendering of aconvention vapor management system. Since fuel vapor management systemsare well known, further description is omitted for the sake of brevity.

The vapor valve section 46 is attached to the interior side 50 c (orunderside) of the plate 50 of the attachment section 40. In FIGS. 24 and25, various features of the plate 50, such as the fuel tube 56 and theconnector 58 are omitted for the sake of clarity and simplicity.

The vapor valve section 46 basically includes a first valve assembly 120(a first air flow valve assembly) and a second valve assembly 122 (asecond air flow valve assembly). The first valve assembly 120 supportedbelow the plate 50 and is aligned with a vapor passageway of the firsttube 52. The first tube 52 basically extends through the plate 50 of theattachment section 40 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.

The first valve assembly 120 includes a first tube 130, a second tube132 (a first housing portion), a housing 134 (a second housing portion),a valve seat portion 136 and a float 138. The first tube 130 is rigidlyfixed to the interior side 50 c of the plate 50. The first tube 130 ishollow and is aligned with the vapor passageway of the first tube 52.The second tube 132 is also rigidly fixed to the interior side 50 c ofthe plate 50 such that the second tube 132 is concentric with the firsttube 130 and surrounds the first tube 130. A hollow annular channel 132a is defined between at least a portion of the first tube 130 and thesecond tube 132.

The housing 134 has a lower portion that defines a float chamber 134 a.An upper portion of the housing 134 defines an annular attachment flange134 b that contacts and slides along an outer surface of the second tube132, such that the annular attachment flange creates a seal between thehousing 134 and the second tube 132. Hence, the housing 134 is slidablysupported on the second tube 132, as demonstrated by a comparison of thedepictions in FIGS. 24 and 25. Specifically, the housing 134 can slideup and down along the second tube 132 in order to accommodateinstallation into any of a variety of fuel tanks and fuel tankconfigurations.

In the depicted embodiment, the second tube 132 includes a pair ofprojections 132 b and the housing 134 defines a pair of recesses alongan interior surface thereof, the recesses each having that a verticalportion R_(V) and a plurality of horizontal recess portions R_(H) thatextend to the vertical portion R_(V). The projections 132 b of thesecond tube 132 extend the recess and can be moved along the verticalportion R_(V) or into any one of the plurality of horizontal recessportions R_(H). The projections 132 b, the horizontal recess portionsR_(H) and the vertical portion R_(V) are also shown in FIGS. 26 and 27.

In order to re-position the housing 134 relative to the second tube 132,the housing 134 can be rotated relative to the second tube 132 in orderto align the projections 132 b with the vertical portion R_(V). Thehousing 134 can then be repositioned vertically relative to the secondtube 132 with the projections 132 b remaining in the vertical portionR_(V) of the recess. In order to lock the housing 134 in one of aplurality of vertical positions relative to the second tube 132, thehousing 134 is rotated in order to move the projections 132 b into onesof the plurality of horizontal recess portions R_(H). The verticalportion R_(V), the plurality of horizontal recess portions R_(H) and theprojections 132 b (parts of the first housing portion and the secondhousing portion) define a position locking mechanism that retains thehousing 134 (the second housing portion) in one of a plurality ofpositions relative to the second tube 132 (the first housing portion).

As shown in FIG. 28, it is also possible to reverse the locations of theprojections and recesses of the first valve assembly 120. Specifically,the housing 134 and second tube 132 can be modified or replaced with ahousing 134′ and a second tube 132′. The housing 134′ is provided withprojections 134 e′ that extend into the recesses R_(V) and R_(H) formedin the second tube 132′.

The valve seat portion 136 is rigidly attached to an interior portion ofthe housing 134 for movement with the housing 134. The valve seatportion 136 includes a sleeve part 136 a, an engagement part 136 b and aseat part 136 c. The sleeve part 136 a is dimensioned to fit around anouter periphery of the first tube 130 and slide within the hollowannular channel 132 a. More specifically, the sleeve part 136 a canundergo telescoping movement relative to the first tube 130. Theengagement part 136 b of the valve seat portion 136 extends into thefloat chamber 134 a and defines the seat part 136 c. The engagement part136 b is coupled to the housing 134 for movement therewith. The valveseat portion 136 defines a central bore 136 d open to the vaporpassageway of the first tube 56 and is open to the seat part 136 c.

The float 138 is disposed within the float chamber 134 a and is freelymovable within the float chamber 134 a. Consequently, in response tofluid entering the float chamber 134 a via openings 134 c, the float 138floats up against the seat part 136 c closing off the central bore 136 dand the vapor passageway of the first tube 52. In the absence of fluid,the float 138 moves downward in the float chamber 134 a exposing theseat part 136 c and the central bore 136 d allowing vapor movementthrough the vapor passageway of the first tube 52.

The second valve assembly 122 is similar to the first valve assembly 120in configuration and operation. Specifically the second valve assembly122 includes a third tube 140, a fourth tube 142 (a third housingportion), a housing 144 (a fourth housing portion), a valve seat portion146 and a float 148. The third tube 140 is rigidly fixed to the interiorside 50 c of the plate 50. The third tube 140 is hollow and is alignedwith the vapor passageway of the second tube 54. The fourth tube 142 isalso rigidly fixed to the interior side 50 c of the plate 50 such thatthe fourth tube 142 is concentric with the third tube 140 and surroundsthe third tube 140. A hollow annular channel 142 a is defined between atleast a portion of the third tube 140 and the fourth tube 142.

The housing 144 has a lower portion that defines a float chamber 144 a.An upper portion of the housing 144 defines an annular attachment flange144 b that contacts and slides along an outer surface of the fourth tube142, such that the annular attachment flange creates a seal between thehousing 144 and the fourth tube 142. Hence, the housing 144 is slidablysupported on the fourth tube 142, as demonstrated by a comparison of thedepictions in FIGS. 24 and 25. Specifically, the housing 144 can slideup and down along the fourth tube 142 in order to accommodateinstallation into any of a variety of fuel tanks and fuel tankconfigurations.

In the depicted embodiment, the fourth tube 142 includes a pair ofprojections 142 b and the housing 144 defines a pair of recesses alongan interior surface thereof, the recesses each having that a verticalportion R_(V) and a plurality of horizontal recess portions R_(H) thatextend to the vertical portion R_(V) similar to the recess in thehousing 132. The projections 142 b of the fourth tube 142 extend therecess and can be moved along the vertical portion R_(V) or into any oneof the plurality of horizontal recess portions R_(H).

In order to re-position the housing 144 relative to the fourth tube 142,the housing 144 can be rotated relative to the fourth tube 142 in orderto align the projections 142 b with the vertical portion R_(V). Thehousing 144 can then be repositioned vertically relative to the fourthtube 142 with the projections 142 b remaining in the vertical portionR_(V) of the recess. In order to lock the housing 144 in one of aplurality of vertical positions relative to the fourth tube 142, thehousing 144 is rotated in order to move the projections 142 b into onesof the plurality of horizontal recess portions R_(H). The verticalportion R_(V), the plurality of horizontal recess portions R_(H) and theprojections 142 b (parts of the third housing portion and the fourthhousing portion) define a position locking mechanism that retains thehousing 144 (the fourth housing portion) in one of a plurality ofpositions relative to the fourth tube 142 (the third housing portion).Since the vertical portion R_(V) and the plurality of horizontal recessportions R_(H) are generally the same as those in the first valveassembly 120, the depictions in FIGS. 26 and 27 also apply to the recessin the second valve assembly 122. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, adepiction of the recess in the second valve assembly 122 is omitted.

The valve seat portion 146 is rigidly attached to an interior portion ofthe housing 144 for movement with the housing 144. The valve seatportion 146 includes a sleeve part 146 a, an engagement part 146 b and aseat part 146 c. The sleeve part 146 a is dimensioned to fit around anouter periphery of the third tube 140 and slide within the hollowannular channel 142 a. More specifically, the sleeve part 146 a canundergo telescoping movement relative to the third tube 140. Theengagement part 146 b of the valve seat portion 146 extends into thefloat chamber 144 a and defines the seat part 146 c. The engagement part146 b is coupled to the housing 144 for movement therewith. The valveseat portion 146 defines a central bore 146 d open to the vaporpassageway of the first tube 56 and is open to the seat part 146 c.

The float 148 is disposed within the float chamber 144 a and is freelymovable within the float chamber 144 a. Consequently, in response tofluid entering the float chamber 144 a via openings 144 c, the float 148floats up against the seat part 146 c closing off the central bore 146 dand the vapor passageway of the second tube 54. In the absence of fluid,the float 148 moves downward in the float chamber 144 a exposing theseat part 146 c and the central bore 146 d allowing vapor movementthrough the vapor passageway of the second tube 54.

The vertical positioning adjustment of each of the first valve assembly120 and the second valve assembly 122 are provided to give furtherflexible installation features to the fuel pump assembly 14.

When the fuel tank 12 is full of fuel, at least the first valve assembly120 is closed since the float 138 moves up into contact with the seatpart 136 c of the valve seat portion 136. In this case, the second valveassembly 122 allows vapor to escape the fuel tank 12 when the fuel tank12 is full and the first valve assembly 120 is closed.

In the event that the vehicle 10 rolls over, the float 138 contacts andseals with the seat part 136 c of the valve seat portion 136 and thefloat 148 contacts and seals with the seat part 146 c of the valve seatportion 146 thereby preventing fuel from escaping the fuel tank 12.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description hereinthat the first valve assembly 120 and the second valve assembly 122 canbe connected to differing vapor lines of the fuel vapor managementsystem 30 or the same vapor line of the fuel vapor management system 30,as needed or designed.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 29 and 30, a second tube 132″ and a housing 134″in accordance with a second embodiment will now be explained. In view ofthe similarity between the first and second embodiments, the parts ofthe second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the firstembodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of thefirst embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the secondembodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment maybe omitted for the sake of brevity. The parts of the second embodimentthat differ from the parts of the first embodiment will be indicatedwith a double prime (″).

The first and second valve assemblies 120 and 122 described in the firstembodiment can be modified to include a different position lockingarrangement. Specifically, the second tube 132 and the housing 134 ofthe first embodiment can be replaced with the second tube 132 thehousing 134″ and the housing 134″ of the second embodiment. The housing134″ is provided with a series of recesses 134″_(R) and the second tube132″ is provided with projections 132″_(B).

The controller 24 preferably includes a microcomputer with a fuel pumpassembly control program that controls the fuel pump 76 and processessignals from the sender unit 90. The controller 24 can also includeother conventional components such as an input interface circuit, anoutput interface circuit, and storage devices such as a ROM (Read OnlyMemory) device and a RAM (Random Access Memory) device. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that theprecise structure and algorithms for the controller 24 can be anycombination of hardware and software that will carry out the functionsof the present invention.

The various vehicle elements not described herein are conventionalcomponents that are well known in the art. Since these elements are wellknown in the art, these structures will not be discussed or illustratedin detail herein. Rather, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart from this disclosure that the components can be any type ofstructure and/or programming that can be used to carry out the presentinvention.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe theabove embodiments, the following directional terms “forward”,“rearward”, “above”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “below” and“transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer tothose directions of a vehicle equipped with the fuel pump assembly.Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present inventionshould be interpreted relative to a vehicle equipped with the fuel pumpassembly.

The term “detect” as used herein to describe an operation or functioncarried out by a component, a section, a device or the like includes acomponent, a section, a device or the like that does not requirephysical detection, but rather includes determining, measuring,modeling, predicting or computing or the like to carry out the operationor function.

The term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section orpart of a device includes hardware and/or software that is constructedand/or programmed to carry out the desired function.

The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately”as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modifiedterm such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such features. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fuel pump assembly, comprising: an attachmentsection including an upper telescoping section having an outer portionand a support rod that extends into the outer portion for telescopingmovement with respect thereto, the support rod further extendingdownward from the outer portion; a pump housing supported to a lower endof the support rod of the attachment section; a sender unit including afloat configured to move linearly in a vertical direction relative tothe pump housing in response to changes in level of fuel within the fueltank; and a positioning mechanism attached to the pump housing andattached to the sender unit, the positioning mechanism being locatedbetween the pump housing and the sender unit, the positioning mechanismincluding a first positioning mechanism configured such that the senderunit is rotatable about the pump housing for adjustment of a radialposition of the sender unit relative to the pump housing, and a secondpositioning mechanism for adjusting a vertical position of the senderunit relative to the pump housing, the upper telescoping section of theattachment section being configured such that the pump housing ismovable between a first position and a second position, such that in thefirst position the pump housing is retained by the upper telescopingsection a first distance away from the attachment section and in thesecond position the pump housing is located a second distance away fromthe attachment section, the first distance being greater than the seconddistance.
 2. The fuel pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein theouter portion of the upper telescoping section defines a hollow interiorwith a biasing member being retained therein, the biasing member urgingthe support rod away from the attachment section.
 3. The fuel pumpassembly according to claim 2, wherein the outer portion of thetelescoping section includes a locking pin insertable into an aperturedefined by the outer portion, such that with the locking pin insertedinto the outer portion the locking pin limits overall movement of thesupport rod relative to the outer portion.
 4. The fuel pump assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein the support rod has a lower end and thepump housing includes a support bore, the lower end and the support boredefining a lower telescoping section with at least a portion of thelower end of support rod extending into the support bore.
 5. The fuelpump assembly according to claim 4, wherein the support rod has anexposed mid-section with a second biasing member being disposedthere-around, the second biasing member extending from the outer sectionof the upper telescoping section to a lower outer portion of the lowertelescoping section, the second biasing member urging the pump housingaway from the attachment section.
 6. The fuel pump assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the attachment section includes a second uppertelescoping section having a second outer portion and a second supportrod that extends into the second outer portion for telescoping movementwith respect thereto, the second support rod further extending downwardfrom the outer portion to the pump housing supporting the pump housing.7. The fuel pump assembly according to claim 1, further comprising afuel tank having a circular opening formed in an upper wall thereof, andan annular support flange surrounding the circular opening, and theattachment section includes a disk shaped flange dimensioned to matewith the annular support flange with the pump housing extending belowthe attachment section and into the fuel tank.
 8. The fuel senderassembly according to claim 1, wherein the sender unit includes a slidertrack attached to the positioning mechanism and configured to supportthe float for vertical movement along the slider track.
 9. The fuel pumpassembly according to claim 8, wherein the float of the sender unit ismovable between a plurality of positions along the slider track, and theslider track includes a resistance measuring part that provides anelectronic indication of electrical resistance at each of the pluralityof positions.
 10. The fuel pump assembly according to claim 9, whereinthe sender unit includes a circuit and a multi-position switch such thatin a first position the multi-position switch sets the resistancemeasuring part with an electrical resistance output range and in asecond position sets the multi-position switch resistance measuring partwith an electrical resistance output range different from the firstresistance output range.
 11. The fuel pump assembly according to claim1, wherein the attachment section includes at least one air flow valveassembly operable between an open orientation allowing air flowtherethrough and a closed orientation preventing air flow therethrough.12. A fuel pump assembly, comprising: an attachment section including anupper telescoping section having an outer portion and a support rod thatextends into the outer portion for telescoping movement with respectthereto, the support rod further extending downward from the outerportion, the outer portion of the upper telescoping section having anaperture defined therein extending in a direction perpendicular to thesupport rod; a locking pin removably inserted through the aperture ofthe outer portion, such that with the locking pin removed from theaperture, an upper end of the support rod is movable to position withinthe outer portion above the aperture, and with the locking pin insertedinto the aperture of the outer portion, the locking pin limits movementof the support rod relative to the outer portion such that the upper endof the support rod remains below the aperture; a pump housing supportedto a lower end of the support rod of the attachment section; and theupper telescoping section of the attachment section being configuredsuch that the pump housing is movable between a first position and asecond position, such that in the first position the pump housing isretained by the upper telescoping section a first distance away from theattachment section and in the second position the pump housing islocated a second distance away from the attachment section, the firstdistance being greater than the second distance.
 13. The fuel pumpassembly according to claim 12, wherein a sender unit coupled to thepump housing, the sender unit including a float configured to movelinearly in a vertical direction relative to the pump housing inresponse to changes in level of fuel within the fuel tank.
 14. The fuelpump assembly according to claim 13, further comprising a positioningmechanism located between the pump housing and the sender unit foradjusting the position of the sender unit relative to the pump housing.15. The fuel sender assembly according to claim 14, wherein the senderunit includes a slider track attached to the positioning mechanism andconfigured to support the float for vertical movement along the slidertrack, the float of the sender unit being movable between a plurality ofpositions along the slider track, and the slider track includes aresistance measuring part that provides an electronic indication ofelectrical resistance at each of the plurality of positions.
 16. A fuelpump assembly, comprising: an attachment section including an uppertelescoping section having an outer portion, a first biasing memberdisposed within the outer portion, and, a support rod that extends intothe outer portion for telescoping movement with respect thereto, anupper end of the support rod contacting the first biasing member withthe support rod being biased downward away from the attachment sectionby the first biasing member, the support rod having an exposedmid-section extending downward below the outer portion; a pump housinghaving a lower telescoping section, the pump housing being supported toa lower end of the support rod via the lower telescoping section; asecond biasing member disposed around the exposed mid-section of thesupport rod, the second biasing member extending from a lower end of theouter section of the upper telescoping section to the lower telescopingsection, the second biasing member urging the pump housing away from theattachment section; and the upper telescoping section of the attachmentsection being configured such that the pump housing is movable between afirst position and a second position, such that in the first positionthe pump housing is retained by the upper telescoping section a firstdistance away from the attachment section and in the second position thepump housing is located a second distance away from the attachmentsection, the first distance being greater than the second distance. 17.The fuel pump assembly according to claim 16, wherein the outer portionof the upper telescoping section defines a hollow interior with thefirst biasing member being retained therein, the outer portion of thetelescoping section having an aperture defined therein extending in adirection perpendicular to the support rod.
 18. The fuel pump assemblyaccording to claim 17, wherein the outer portion of the uppertelescoping section further includes a locking pin insertable into anaperture defined by the outer portion, such that with the locking pininserted into the outer portion the locking pin limits overall movementof the support rod relative to the outer portion.